We ideally work with businesses or business ideas that have been tested in the market and are:

• Disruptive (SMART, out of the ordinary thinking, unique, innovative)

• Appropriate

• Scalable

• Sustainable

• Create jobs or have the ability to create jobs

• Based in Nelson Mandela Bay

We look into the following sectors :

• Renewable Energy

• Energy Efficiency

• Circular Economy

• Advanced Manufacturing

• Maritime

• Internet of Things (IoT) / Smart City Solutions

Programmes

Which programme would you like to know more about?

Propella ICT Programme

ISUZU Industrial Hub

FutureMakers Futured by BCX

Tell me more about the programme

What content is covered?

Who is currently on the programme?

Isuzu Industrial Hub

Tell me more about the programme

What content is covered?

Who is currently on the programme?

Which programme would you like to know more about?

FutureMakers Futured by BCX

ISUZU Industrial Hub

FutureMakers Futured by BCX

Tell me more about the programme

What content is covered?

Who is currently on the programme?

Isuzu Industrial Hub

Tell me more about the programme

What content is covered?

Who is currently on the programme?

ICT Hub

Propella Future Makers Programme

Future Makers, is an intensive programme "from concept to market" process run by Propella for IT innovators.

• You need a great idea and some determination

• An app, a service or an IT application that no-one else has thought of yet and requires help to commercialise and scale

• Idea must fit into the operations of a Smart City or Community, such as Industry 4.0, IoT, etc.

• No cost to participate

• You don’t need to be trading yet

• You need to be in start up phase and require incubation support

• But there are also no free lunches – you will be expected to attend the workshops and mentoring meetings as required in each stage this could include at least eight hours a week in Propella workshops, and even longer doing your research and groundwork.

• Approximately 100 ventures are selected to attend a two day Stage 1 “Bootcamp” (here)

• Stage 2 is eight weeks on a business incubation journey to validate and prove that it’s a viable opportunity.

• Convince the panel, via a video pitch, that your idea has potential to turn into a business to become one of the 40 ventures who progress to Stage 2

• Stage 2 is eight weeks on a business incubation journey to validate and prove that it’s a viable opportunity. Again a pitch to a live panel this time could progress you to the next stage.

• Crack the nod for Stage 3 for an additional three months of business acceleration to working on achieving your first revenue paying customer.

• Progression to the next Stage is at Propellas discretion and the final decision lies with the Selection Panel and Propella Team.

• The Bootcamp and any of the stages, vouchers or offerings may not be transferred or exchanged for the equivalent cash value.

This is the chance you've been looking for to make your big idea a reality.

Be sure to bookmark this page and to return regularly to apply for the next FutureMakers adventure.
Applications open every few months, so you need to keep visiting the site for dates.

Propella Future Makers Programme

Future Makers, is an intensive programme "from concept to market" process run by Propella for IT innovators.

• You need a great idea and some determination

• An app, a service or an IT application that no-one else has thought of yet or requires help to commercialise and scale

• Idea must fit into the operations of a Smart City or Community, such as Industry 4.0, IoT, etc.

• Approximately 100 ventures are selected to attend a three day Stage 1 “Bootcamp”

• No cost to participate

• But there are also no free lunches – you will be expected to invest at least eight hours a week in Propella workshops, and even longer doing your research and groundwork.

• Convince the panel that your idea has potential to turn into a business to become one of the 10 ventures who progress to Stage 2

• Stage 2 is eight weeks on a business incubation journey to validate and prove that it’s a viable opportunity.

• Crack the nod for Stage 3 for an additional three months of business acceleration to obtain your first revenue paying customer.

This is the chance you've been looking for to make your big idea a reality.

Be sure to bookmark this page and to return regularly to apply for the next FutureMakers adventure.
Applications open every few months, so you need to keep visiting the site for dates.

FutureMakers Content

Stage 0

This is the recruitment stage, to find out more about where we are involved in our community, click through to our diary

STAGE 0

This is the recruitment stage, to find out more about where we are involved in our community, click through to our diary

STAGE 1

Is referred to as a Ideation and is undertaken as a Bootcamp. This will typically be where the entrepreneur
merely has a business idea. When the entrepreneurs apply to the programme, the idea will not have been validated
and the product will not have been developed. The purpose of Stage 1 is to confirm the right jockey and to validate
his / her business idea.

STAGE 2

Is referred to as Incubation. At this stage, the entrepreneur will have completed the ideation process or entered
the programme with market research that proves a well-defined business problem and solution and (or) product proof
of concept in development and (or) pre-revenue stage. The purpose of Stage 2 is to validate the business, proving
it to be a viable opportunity.

STAGE 3

The purpose of Stage 3 is to ensure the product and business foundations are solid and that possible seed
investment can flow. The end of the acceleration journey is marked by the opportunity to apply for further
commercialisation support. Stage 3 business and product development activities will be for 12 weeks. Co-working
space will be made available for a maximum of 12 months.

STAGE 0

This is the recruitment stage, to find out more about where we are involved in our community, click through to our diary

STAGE 1

Is referred to as a Ideation and is undertaken as a Bootcamp. This will typically be where the entrepreneur
merely has a business idea. When the entrepreneurs apply to the programme, the idea will not have been validated
and the product will not have been developed. The purpose of Stage 1 is to confirm the right jockey and to validate
his / her business idea.

STAGE 2

Is referred to as Incubation. At this stage, the entrepreneur will have completed the ideation process or entered
the programme with market research that proves a well-defined business problem and solution and (or) product proof
of concept in development and (or) pre-revenue stage. The purpose of Stage 2 is to validate the business, proving
it to be a viable opportunity.

STAGE 3

The purpose of Stage 3 is to ensure the product and business foundations are solid and that possible seed
investment can flow. The end of the acceleration journey is marked by the opportunity to apply for further
commercialisation support. Stage 3 business and product development activities will be for 12 weeks. Co-working
space will be made available for a maximum of 12 months.

Industrial Programme

Propella have positioned themselves to assist both B2E (Business to Entrepreneur) and B2B (Business to Business) applicants that are
seeking assistance in developing their innovative products, processes and/or services within the following areas:

• Renewable Energy

• Energy Efficiency

• Advanced Manufacturing, Automation and Industry 4.0

• Internet of Things

• Smart City solutions

The industrial incubator will consider applicants who already have a proof-of-concept or early stage prototype.
Applicants are required to make an online submission on the website. Once the applications are screened internally and align to Propella’s
vision and focus areas, then applicants would be required to present their innovations to a panel. Should the panel endorse the application,
the start of a 3-year journey with Propella would commence.

Propella offers both virtual and physical incubation services. The warehouse facility is well equipped and ideally suited to low volume production.
Prototyping support facilities such as 3D printing, 3D scanning and small part machining and molding are available, together with a well-resourced workshop
that has all the basic tools required for manufacturing. There is also a network of skilled technical and business support.
If there are products that demonstrate great growth / market potential, Propella would also be willing to engage in ‘cash for equity’ discussions.

Propella have positioned themselves to assist both B2E (Business to Entrepreneur) and B2B (Business to Business) applicants that are
seeking assistance in developing their innovative products, processes and/or services within the following areas:

• Renewable Energy

• Energy Efficiency

• Advanced Manufacturing, Automation and Industry 4.0

• Internet of Things

• Smart City solutions

The industrial incubator will consider applicants who already have a proof-of-concept or early stage prototype.
Applicants are required to make an online submission on the website. Once the applications are screened internally and align to Propella’s
vision and focus areas, then applicants would be required to present their innovations to a panel. Should the panel endorse the application,
the start of a 3-year journey with Propella would commence.

Propella offers both virtual and physical incubation services. The warehouse facility is well equipped and ideally suited to low volume production.
Prototyping support facilities such as 3D printing, 3D scanning and small part machining and molding are available, together with a well-resourced workshop
that has all the basic tools required for manufacturing. There is also a network of skilled technical and business support.
If there are products that demonstrate great growth / market potential, Propella would also be willing to engage in ‘cash for equity’ discussions.

Industrial Content

Content covered for Industrial innovators is determined by an in-depth diagnostic conducted on the business and
technology as the venture enters the programme. A journey is charted and agreed on that best utilises the resources made
available by Propella and the objective and times frames of the innovator.

Typically, an advisor and mentor are assigned to the innovator who also receives access to the Propella Content Platform and bi-weekly workshops offered by Propella.

The following key development stages are covered over a maximum period of 3 years;

Content covered for Industrial innovators is determined by an in-depth diagnostic conducted on the business and
technology as the venture enters the programme. A journey is charted and agreed on that best utilises the resources made
available by Propella and the objective and times frames of the innovator.

Typically, an advisor and mentor are assigned to the innovator who also receives access to the Propella Content Platform and bi-weekly workshops offered by Propella.

The following key development stages are covered over a maximum period of 3 years;

• Prototype finalisation testing and trialling

• Go to market preparation, and

• Growth scenarios, preparation and scaling of the business

Funding Options

Tell me more about the fund

Question to answer before applying for TIA funding

Qualifying criteria for TIA funding

TIA Funded activities include

Activities exclude from TIA funding

How do I apply for TIA funding

Funding Options

We completely understand that start-up ventures need capital and that the "go to" for most is ofter the standard
"Friends, Family & Fools" options. Propella assists with the application for funding through its network of government
and private sector institutions.

TIA SMME Seed Fund

Propella has been contracted by the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) to
implement to an SMME Seed Fund, aimed at assisting knowledge economy-based
SMMEs in the Eastern Cape to access bridging finance to advance their innovative
ideas to market. The monetary value of the grant funding will range from R50 000
(minimum) to R650 000 (maximum) per project.

TIA seed fund proposal: please take note of the following considerations
before completing the application form

• Is your product / service beyond just an idea?

• Have you developed a prototype/minimum viable product (MVP) for your
product / service / idea?

• Can you substantiate that there is a real need in the market for your product /
service? Have you done a market assessment and or viability study?

• Is your product / service unique? Is it patentable?

• Will the product / service be developed and remain in Nelson Mandela Bay?

Tell me more about the fund.

Question to answer before applying for TIA funding.

Qualifying criteria for TIA funding.

TIA Funded activities include.

Activities exclude from TIA funding.

How do I apply for TIA funding

Funding Options

We completely understand that start-up ventures need capital and that the "go to" for most is ofter the standard
"Friends, Family & Fools" options. Propella assists with the application for funding through its network of government
and private sector institutions.

TIA SMME Seed Fund

Propella has been contracted by the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) to
implement to an SMME Seed Fund, aimed at assisting knowledge economy-based
SMMEs in the Eastern Cape to access bridging finance to advance their innovative
ideas to market. The monetary value of the grant funding will range from R50 000
(minimum) to R650 000 (maximum) per project.

TIA seed fund proposal: please take note of the following considerations
before completing the application form

• Is your product / service beyond just an idea?

• Have you developed a prototype/minimum viable product (MVP) for your
product / service / idea?

• Can you substantiate that there is a real need in the market for your product /
service? Have you done a market assessment and or viability study?

• • Is your product / service unique? Is it patentable?

• Will the product / service be developed and remain in Nelson Mandela Bay?